California Catholic bishop made several trips to Tijuana brothel known for human trafficking: report

A California-based Catholic bishop allegedly took more than a dozen trips to a Mexican brothel known for human trafficking and misused parish funds, a sensational new report reveals.

Bishop Emanuel Shaleta of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of San Diego offered his resignation following allegations detailed in a report by the Catholic news outlet The Pillar. His resignation had not been formally accepted by the Vatican.

A private investigator documented Shaleta using a shuttle “exclusive to the club’s patrons” to visit the Hong Kong Gentlemen’s Club in Tijuana just across the Mexican border, The Pillar reported.

The Hong Kong Gentlemen’s Club operates in Tijuana’s Zona Norte red-light district, an area that has long been scrutinized by law enforcement and anti-trafficking organizations.

Independent investigative reporting and academic research on the region have documented patterns of coercion, organized criminal involvement and the exploitation of vulnerable women and minors within parts of the city’s commercial sex trade.

While there is no public allegation that Shaleta was involved in trafficking activity, prior reporting has identified the club by name in broader examinations of sex-industry operations in Tijuana.

The allegations stem from a private investigator’s report that was submitted to Vatican authorities.

The report also alleges that Shaleta shared a personal bank account with a woman identified as a former parish secretary. According to the outlet, the account held more than $40,000.

The woman and her children allegedly moved with Shaleta from Michigan to Toronto and later to San Diego, according to the report.

The investigator further alleged that Shaleta had “unfettered access” to the woman’s home and spent time alone with her children.

No public allegation has been made that Shaleta abused a minor.

The matter has drawn scrutiny within church channels, and reporting indicates that both Vatican authorities and local law enforcement have reviewed aspects of the case. No criminal charges related to the alleged visits have been announced.

Shaleta has not publicly addressed the allegations regarding the Tijuana venue.

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The Pillar’s report also detailed alleged financial misconduct involving parish funds. According to the outlet, finance council members at St. Peter’s Chaldean Cathedral in El Cajon raised concerns after discovering irregularities in rent payments tied to a parish-owned social hall.

The report alleges that for approximately eight months, monthly rent payments of roughly $33,990 were paid in cash directly to Shaleta.

The parish was then allegedly “reimbursed” using checks drawn from a separate charitable assistance account intended to support the poor, with the reimbursement checks signed by the bishop himself.

In addition, the outlet reported that approximately $30,000 in cash tied to perpetual Mass enrollments — donations traditionally earmarked for specific religious intentions — was similarly taken and later reimbursed through the same charity account.

When questioned, Shaleta allegedly said the cash had been distributed to needy individuals in the United States and abroad, but investigators reported that documentation supporting those distributions was not provided.

The Pillar estimated that at least $427,000 in parish funds may have been improperly routed through this system, with some transactions raising questions about sums approaching $1 million. Those figures have not been confirmed by law enforcement.

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department has confirmed an active investigation into alleged financial mishandling involving a senior member of the Chaldean eparchy.

Authorities have not announced any criminal charges, and the bishop has not publicly addressed the financial allegations in detail.

Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako, the Iraq-based Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, objected to efforts to push Shaleta’s resignation and sought to defend the bishop amid the allegation, according to The Pillar.

The outlet reported that Sako explored the possibility of transferring Shaleta to another role and attempted to rally support for him in Rome.

Sako has said he would ultimately follow the decision of the Holy See, while disputing claims that he improperly intervened.

The California Post has sought comment from the Eparchy, Shaleta, the Holy See, Sako and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.